<<snip>>
We therefore advocate routine sampling of ferritin levels in patients
with
unexplained joint complaints
<<snip>>

Neth J Med. 2006 Sep;64(8):307-9. Links
Sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda due to haemochromatosis.de Geus HR,
Dees A.
Department of Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the
Netherlands.

Haemochromatosis is a hereditary iron-overload syndrome caused by
increased intestinal iron absorption and characterised by accumulation
of potentially toxic iron in the tissues. Sometimes this disease
presents as a cutanea porphyria. We describe a patient with joint
complaints and blistering skin lesions on sun-exposed skin. After
identifying the porphyria cutanea tarda by urine analysis we found that

the serum activity of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) was normal,

meaning a partial inactivation of UROD in liver tissue due to external
factors. Further investigation showed the homozygous Cys282Tyr missense

mutation and high levels of serum ferritin. It is important to
recognise the symptoms of iron overloading at an early stage because
hereditary haemochromatosis needs to be treated immediately. We
therefore advocate routine sampling of ferritin levels in patients with

unexplained joint complaints.

PMID: 16990695 [PubMed - in process]

Who loves ya.
Tom

Jesus Was A Vegetarian!
http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com

Man Is A Herbivore!
http://tinyurl.com/a3cc3

DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://tinyurl.com/zk9fk